Devices for fixing at least one packing to a cylinder of a rotary printing press and printing group comprising said devices

ABSTRACT

Devices are used for fixing or attaching at least one packing or dressing to a cylinder. A retaining element is located in a channel in the cylinder and retains one end of the dressing or packing. A spring element is also located in the channel and cooperates with the retaining element to exert a required clamping force on the end of the packing or dressing. The retaining element is pivotably supported in the base of the channel and is fixed in the base, while in its clamping portion, by the spring element. This insures that the retaining element will not be inadvertently unclamped from the channel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is the U.S. National Phase, under 35 USC 371 ofPCT/DE03/01332, filed Apr. 24, 2003; published as WO 03/691024 A1 onNov. 6, 2003 and claiming priority to DE 102 18 474.7, filed Apr. 25,2002, the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to devices for fastening at least onedressing or packing on a cylinder of a rotary printing press and to aprinting group having these devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A device for use in bracing and/or clamping flexible plates, havingbeveled suspension legs, is described in DE 199 24 785 A1. A firstsuspension leg is arranged in a cylinder groove in a manner wherein itcan be pressed against a groove wall by a pivotably seated profiledstrip, which is provided with three arms. Another suspension leg, with aclamping roller, is arranged to be pressed against another location ofthe groove wall. The strip can be divided into several shorter profiledstrips. Alternatively, a support strip supporting the profiled strip canbe divided into several shorter support strips. Adjoining support stripsare connected with each other by a coupling, for example by a tootharrangement at both ends. A free end of the first and of the lastsupport strip located in the cylinder groove are connected, fixedagainst relative rotation, which itself is fastened, with its partscovering the cylinder groove, to an end coupling piece to the flanks ofthe cylinder, for example by screwing.

A device for clamping and releasing of flexible plates with beveledsuspension legs is known from DE 199 24 787 A1. Two cooperating stripsare provided in a cross-sectional surface extending axially in respectto a groove, which two strips are charged in opposite directions by aspring with a force. Each end of the two springs is supported on aninterior wall of a base body arranged in the groove. A support point ofthe springs is located substantially orthogonally with respect to thebearing point of the springs. Although the springs exert the force onthe strips, which force is necessary for clamping, they do notsimultaneously fix all of the strips in place in their bearing pointsduring clamping.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is directed to providing devices forfastening at least one dressing on a cylinder of a rotary printingpress, and to a printing group having these devices.

In accordance with the invention, this object is attained by theprovision of a cylinder of a rotary printing press that is provided withan axially extending groove having spaced first and second walls. Atleast one packing or dressing end holding device, and at least onespring element are situated in the groove with the holding device beingusable to hold the packing trailing end. The holding device is embodiedas a pivotable lever which is supported in the groove at a bearing pointopposite to the groove's opening at the cylinder surface. The springelement is supported on the groove walls and exerts both a clampingforce and a fixing or securement force on the holding device.

The advantages to be gained by the present invention reside, inparticular, in that an embodiment of the device of the presentinvention, which is simple and which can be produced cost-effectively,is possible, which is provided with a holding element, or with aclamping element, for fastening at least one dressing on a cylinder of arotary printing press.

In particular, in connection with pressing the holding element ordevice, or the clamping element, against a wall of the opening of thegroove, an effective clamped fastening of at least one leg of adressing, introduced into the opening of the groove, which dressingrests on the surface of the cylinder, can be provided. The holdingelement, or the clamping element, is simultaneously dependably fixed inplace in the groove.

Neither a profiled strip provided with three strip-shaped arms, which isconfigured in a complicated manner, nor a clamping roller, which must beguided between the profiled strip and a support strip used as anabutment and which must be pressed against a suspension leg restingagainst the groove wall, for the purpose of an indirect clamping, arerequired, in accordance with the present invention, for fastening thedressing. In the same way, a coupling between adjoining support stripsand consisting, for example, of a tooth arrangement, for arranging theindividual support strips in the cylinder groove in a manner fixedagainst relative rotation, is also omitted. In accordance with thesolution proposed by the present invention, the clamping device issupported in the groove of the cylinder itself. If several clampingdevices are arranged in the groove of the cylinder, this characteristicapplies to each individual clamping device. Thus, the prior artstructure of a clamping device, as depicted in DE 199 24 785 A1, andconsisting of at least a profiled strip, a support strip and a clampingroller, is made simpler and therefore more cost-effective by the presentinvention.

An embodiment of the device in accordance with the present invention,wherein at least the leg of the trailing end of the dressing has been atleast partially configured as a rocker, is particularly advantageous.Following the introduction of the leg into the opening of the groove,this rocker is supported with its bearing point on the wall of theopening or on the wall of the groove. In the process, the clampingelement braces the dressing with it leg embodied as a rocker.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are represented in thedrawings and will be described in greater detail in what follows.

Shown are in:

FIG. 1, a first embodiment of a device, in accordance with the presentinvention, for fastening a plate-shaped printing forme on a cylinder, in

FIG. 2, a second preferred embodiment of a device for fastening aprinting blanket, which transmits a printed image, on a cylinder, and in

FIG. 3, a printing group of a rotary printing cress in accordance withthe present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, as represented in FIG. 1, a dressing 03 a, for example aplate-shaped printing forme 03 a, is fastened on a surface 02 of acylinder 01 a. Beveled leading and trailing legs 04, 05 respectively,situated at the ends of the dressing 03 a, are introduced into a groove06 a which is arranged in cylinder 01 a, which groove 06 a has anopening 07 pointing toward the surface 02 of the cylinder 01 a plate endlegs 04, 05 are substantially placed against walls 08, 09, of groove 06a, which walls are located near the surface, and adjacent the opening 07of groove 06 a. The legs 04, 05 can also partially rest against an innerwall 10 of the groove 06 a, situated in groove 06 a away from the areaof the opening 07 and located deeper in the interior of the cylinder 01a. A boundary between the walls 08, 09 of the opening 07 and the wall 10of the groove 06 a extends seamlessly. An introduction depth of the legs04, 05 is not exactly fixed, but instead embraces a large tolerancerange. The groove 06 a can have various cross-sectional diameters.However, a circular cross section, as represented in both drawingfigures, is advantageous from the viewpoint of production technology.

Without limiting the invention to the simplified representation whichfollows, the description of the invention will be provided here forsimplicity's sake in such a way as if only one dressing, extendingcompletely around the circumference of the cylinder, were to befastened. It is clear to one skilled in the art that several dressingscould, in accordance with the invention described here, be fastened tothe cylinder, in either its axial direction as well as in itscircumferential direction. In case of the provision of severaldressings, situated after each other in the circumferential cylinderdirection, several grooves are also provided.

Viewed in the production or cylinder rotation direction P, the dressing03 a to be fastened on the cylinder 01 a has a leading end 11 and atrailing end 12, each with a beveled leg 04, 05, respectively. Also,viewed in the production direction P of the cylinder 01 a, the opening07 of the groove 06 a has a front edge 13, from which the first, leadingwall 08 extends toward the groove 06 a, as well as a rear edge 14, fromwhich the second, trailing wall 09 also extends in the direction towardthe groove 06 a. The opening 07 on the surface 02 of the cylinder 01 ais embodied to be long and narrow, and is therefore slit-shaped. A slitwidth S in the cylinder surface 02, in comparison with a depth “t” ofthe groove 06 a, which depth “t” can be 30 mm, for example, is slightand is of such a size, that a leg 04 of a leading end 11 of a dressing03 a and a leg 05 of a trailing end 12 of dressing 03 a, or in case ofseveral dressings fastened in the circumferential direction of thecylinder 01 a, of an identical dressing 03 a, can be arranged one behindthe other in the opening 07. Slit widths of less than 5 mm, andpreferably in the range of between 1 mm and 3 mm, are advantageous.

Between the leading wall 08 extending from the slit or groove openingfront edge 13 toward the groove 06 a, and an imagined tangent line Tresting on the surface 02 of the cylinder 01 a against the opening 07,an acute angle α has been formed, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 and whichangle α is between 40° and 50°, and is preferably 45°. Thus, the grooveopening or slit 07 tapers, or becomes narrower toward the surface 02 ofthe cylinder 01 a, and it widens toward the interior of the groove 06 a.The leg 04 of the leading end 11 of the dressing 03 a can be suspendedon the front edge 13 of the opening 07, so that this leg 04 rests,preferably with positive contact, against the first leading wall 08extending from the groove front edge 13 to the groove 06 a. In thepreferred embodiment of the present invention represented in FIG. 1, thegroove opening or slit second, trailing wall 09 drops at the rear edge14 of the slit or opening 07 approximately vertically or radiallyinwardly toward the groove 06 a. However, the wall 09 can be slightlyinclined, so that the opening 07 widens toward the groove 06 a. An angleβ, which is defined as the opening angle between the trailing wall 09extending from the slit or opening 07 rear edge 14 toward the groove 06a, and the previously mentioned tangent line T resting on the surface 02of the cylinder 01 a against the opening 07, lies in a range of between80° and 95°, for example, and is preferably 90°.

As a rule, the groove 06 a extends parallel with respect to an axis ofrotation of the cylinder 01 a. Approximately diametrically opposite theslit-shaped opening 07, a recess, for example a channel 15, is locatedin the inner wall 10 of the groove 06 a, into which channel 15 a first,inner end of a plate-shaped, dimensionally stable holding device 16 isinserted, preferably loosely, and is pivotably seated. The channel 15 isa bearing point 24 and is a support point 24 of the holding device 16,which may be configured as a lever. In order to pivot the holding device16 in the channel 15, a width B of the channel 15 is of a larger sizethan is a thickness D of the holding device 16.

In addition to the position of the bearing point 24 of the holdingdevice 16 being located exactly diametrically opposite the opening 07shown in FIG. 1 on the wall 10, and still in the area of the bottom ofthe groove 06 a, this position can also deviate, in a clockwisedirection, by up to approximately 30° from a vertical line starting atthe opening 07 in a direction of the groove side facing the front edge13. An angle of between 15° and 20° can be of particular advantage, asseen in FIG. 2.

The holding device 16 is embodied in such a way that it has a first,upper end 18, which can be placed against one of the two walls 08 or 09of the opening 07, and a second, lower end 19, which is located oppositethe opening 07. A spring element 17, for example a compression spring17, that may be embodied as a leaf spring 17, is attached to the holdingdevice 16 and is preferably directly supported on the wall 08 of groove06 a extending directly from the groove front edge 13 of the opening 07,or on the wall 10 of the groove 06 a. Spring element 17 is situated insuch a way, that the pivotably seated, second, lower edge 19 of theholding device 16 is fixed in place at its bearing point 24, i.e. isfixed in the channel 15. At the same time, the first, upper end 18 ofthe holding device 16 is pressed against the second, trailing wall 09extending at the rear edge 14 of the opening 07. A clamping point 25thus results at the first, upper end 18 of the holding device 16. Bytheir cooperation, the holding device 16 and the spring element 17constitute a clamping device effective in the groove 06 a. Preferably,the spring element 17 is pre-stressed and, in this way, stabilizes theholding device 16 in its position in the groove 06 a and secures theholding device 16 against inadvertently falling out of the opening 07.To achieve this simultaneous clamping and fixation in place, it isnecessary for the spring element 17 to exert, because of its support inthe support point 23, and in particular because of the position and/orshaping of this support point 23, a force of sufficient size for fixingthe holding device 16 in place at its bearing point 24, in particular bypushing the holding device 16 against its bearing point 24. Because ofthis force requirement, the support point 23 of the spring element 17 isarranged spatially closer to the groove opening 07 than to the bearingpoint 24 of the holding device 16. Fixation of the spring 17 in place isachieved, in a simple manner, in that the spring element 17 ispreferably supported on the wall 08 extending from the front edge 13 ofthe opening 07, or preferably in direct contact with the wall 10 of thegroove 06 a, in such a way that forces F1, F2 are simultaneouslyreceived in the support point 23 of the spring element 17 in twodirections, which forces F1 and F2 extend vertically with respect toeach other in the cross-sectional plane of the groove 06 a. Thisabsorption of the forces becomes possible because the support point 23is, in particular, located at a spot where, because of the acute angle αof the opening 07, the first leading wall 08, extending from the frontedge 13 toward the groove 06 a, forms an inclined surface which isfacing the support point 23 of the spring means 17. Respective forcecomponents are formed, at this inclined surface, in the support point 23of the spring element 17 as counterforces to the support forcecomponents F1, F2. One such force component, as the counterforce to F2,exerts a force required for clamping the leg 05 introduced into theopening 07. A further such force component acts in the direction of thebearing point 24 of the holding device 16 to press it into the channel15 in order to stabilize its position, in the course of the rotation ofthe cylinder 01 a. An alternative configuration of the inclined surfacecan consist with the wall 08 extending from the groove front edge 13 andhaving a recess or being shaped in such a way that the distribution offorces previously described can take place in the support point 23 ofthe spring element 17. A helical compression spring 17, which can becorrespondingly arranged in the groove 06 a, can also be employed as thespring element 17 and in place of the leaf spring 17. Although thesupport point 23 of the spring element 17 is preferably located directlyon the wall 08, in the case of a dressing trailing end leg 05 configuredto be longer, the support point 23 can also be located on the latter, sothat the spring element 17 is indirectly supported on the wall 08. Inthe latter case, the spring element 17 is not in direct contact with thewall 08, although the above described division of forces occurs. Theholding device 16 can be allowed to have vertical play in the channel15, as long as it is assured that the holding device 16 does not slideout off the opening 07 in any operational situation and is fullyfunctional for clamping.

In actual use, the support point 23 is preferably located on the wall 08extending from the front edge 13 to the groove 06 a and directlyfollowing an inner end of the leg 04 of the leading end 11 of dressing 3a, which dressing leading end 11 is suspended in the front edge 13, ofthe groove 06 a. A distance “a” between the inner end of the leg 04 andthe support point 23 is preferably less than 5 mm, and in particular isless than 3 mm. Several holding devices 16, with associated springelements 17, can, of course, be arranged in the longitudinal directionof the groove 06 a. Only a single holding device 16 is arranged in eachcross-sectional plane of the groove 06 a.

An actuating device 20, which acts counter to the contact pressureexerted by the spring element 17 via the holding element 16 on the wall09 extending from the rear edge 14 of the opening 07, is provided inorder to release the clamping provided by the holding device 16 on thewall 09, when required, by actuating the actuating device 20. Theactuating device 20 preferably is a hose 20 extending in thelongitudinal direction of the groove 06 a, which hose 20 can be chargedwith a pressure medium, for example with compressed air, and which canbe bordered by an abutment 21. In this case, the abutment 21 of thisactuating device 20 is an enclosure supported on the inner wall 10 ofthe groove 06 a and reduces, because of its shape, the volume increaseof the hose 20 required for releasing the clamping, and in this waycontributes to a shorter reaction time of the actuating device 20. In adifferent construction of the actuating device 20, an abutment 21, inthe form herein described, may be unnecessary.

Furthermore, the embodiment of the present invention, as represented inFIG. 1, shows a particularly advantageous further embodiment, whereinthe leg 05 of the trailing end 12 is configured as a rocker wherein,following the introduction of the leg 05 into the opening 07 of thegroove 06 a, a bearing point 22 of this rocker is supported on the wall09 of the opening 07. Depending on the geometry that may be used forshaping the edge 14 of the opening 07 against which a leg 05, configuredas a rocker, of the trailing end 12 of the dressing 03 a has beenplaced, it might also be that the bearing point 22 of the rocker isalready located on the wall 10 of the groove 06 a. Thus, the dressing 03a has a beveled leg 05 on its trailing end 12, which trailing endbeveled leg 05 is shaped in such a way that this leg 05 has a furtherbevel, projecting away from the wall 09, at an acute angle of, forexample, 15°, which can be tilted into the bearing point 22 on the wall09 of the opening 07, and because of which, the effective direction ofthe clamping of the leg 05 of the trailing end 12 is reversed. Thisfurther bevel also generates a tensile stress on the dressing 03 aresting on the surface 02 of the cylinder 01 a, which tensile stresspulls the trailing end 12 of the dressing 03 ain the direction towardthe front edge 13 of the opening 07. The position of the bearing point22 of the rocker can be selected to be such that a lever arm will resultbetween the bearing point 22 of the rocker and the bevel of the leg 05at the edge 14 of the opening 07. This first lever arm is approximatelytwice as long as the one between the bearing point 22 of the rocker andthe clamping point 25 between the leg 05 and the holding device 16. Thissolution has the advantage that production tolerances in the length ofthe dressing 03 a can be compensated for in a simple manner. Dressings03 aof too great a length have a tendency to become displaced on thesurface 02 of the cylinder 01 a. Furthermore, with a dressing 03 a,which does not rest fully on the surface 02 of the cylinder 01 a, abreak, for example of its trailing end 12, can occur because of theflexing action exerted on it in the course of the production process ofthe cylinder 01 a. In accordance with the solution proposed here, theholding device 16 does not only clamp the dressing 03 a in thepreviously described manner, the dressing 03 a is additionally braced bythe trailing leg 05, configured as a rocker. With an appropriatepre-tensioning of the spring element 17, the rocker of the leg 05 andthe spring element 17 form an additional bracing system for the dressing03 a, in the course of their cooperation, and together with the holdingdevice 16, and which automatically compensates for changes in the lengthof the dressing 03 a.

FIG. 2 shows, as a second preferred embodiment of the present invention,a device for fastening a printing blanket 30, which is usable fortransferring a printed image, to a cylinder 01 b, for example to atransfer cylinder 01 b of an offset printing press. The printing blanket30 has been applied to a support plate 31, which rests on the surface 02of the cylinder 01 b, which is flexible, but dimensionally stable in itssuperficial extent, and which support plate 31 has beveled legs 34, 35on its two oppositely located ends, which beveled legs 34, 35 are to befastened in, and which can be introduced into a groove 06 b that isoriented toward an opening 07 in the surface 02 of the cylinder 01 b.The dressing 03 b being used here, and consisting of blanket 30 andsupport plate 31, has, as a rule, a complex layer structure which,however, consists at least of a support plate 31 and a printing blanket30 applied to it. Analogously to the first embodiment of the presentinvention represented in FIG. 1, the support plate 31 to be fastened onthe cylinder 01 b has a leading end 32 and a trailing end 33 in theproduction direction P of the cylinder 01 b. Here, too, the opening 07of the groove 06 b has, viewed in the production direction P of thecylinder 01 b, a front edge 13 with a first wall 08 extending into thegroove 06 b, and a rear edge 14 with a second wall 09 also extendinginto the groove 06 b. Between the first wall 08 extending from the frontedge 13 to the groove 06 b, and an imagined tangent line T resting onthe opening 07 in the surface 02 of the cylinder 01 b an acute angle ahas also been formed, which acute angle α lies between 40° and 50° andpreferably at 45° The leg 34 of the leading end 32 of the support plate31 rests, positively connected, against the first wall 08 extending fromthe front edge 13. In contrast to the first embodiment represented inFIG. 1, in the second embodiment, the leg 35 of the trailing end 33 ofthe support plate 31 preferably also rests against the first wall 08,and in this case preferably rests, with the greater part of its surfaceand preferably being frictionally connected, directly on the leg 34 ofthe leading end 32 of the support plate 31. The leg 35 of the trailingend 33 of the support plate 31 therefore is beveled at an obtuse angley, which obtuse angle y lies within the range of 130° and 140°, andpreferably which is about 135° as seen in FIG. 2. The second wall 09extending from the rear edge 14 toward the groove 06 b, together withthe previously mentioned tangent line T resting on the opening 07 in thesurface 02 of the cylinder 01 b, forms an angle β, the same as has beendiscussed in the previously described example, angle β which lies withinthe range between 80° and 95° and preferably is almost a right angle.

A clamping element 36 which, in this example is provided with aprojecting arm and which is dimensionally stable per se, has a first,upper end 38 and a second, lower end 39, wherein the second, lower end39 is pivotably seated in a bearing point 40, preferably close to thebottom of the groove 06 b, wherein the bearing point 40 is embodied as arecess in a base 41, for example, and the recess has a supporting suface44, for example, for the lower end 39 of the clamping element 36. Thebearing point 40 of the clamping element 36 can, as was previouslyexplained in connection with the first embodiment of the invention,deviate, in a clockwise direction, by up to 30° from a vertical linestarting at the opening 07 on the side facing the front edge 13. Anangle of deviation of between 15° and 20° can be advantageous inparticular. The base body 41 is preferably secured against twisting inthe groove 06 b. The base body 41 can be made of a plastic material orof a metallic material. If several clamping elements 36 are provided inthe longitudinal direction of the groove 06 b, each of the clampingelements 36 can be arranged in a separate base body 41, and the basebodies 41 can be lined up against each other in the groove 06 b.

By the use of a spring element 37, for example of a helical compressionspring 37 or of a leaf spring 37, which is preferably encased in thebase body 41 and which is supported therein at a support point 43 andwhich forms a clamping device, together with the clamping element 36, acontact pressure is exerted. The first, upper end 38 of the clampingelement 36 exerts this clamping pressure on the legs 34 and 35, whichare resting on top of each other and against the wall 08 of the frontedge 13, because of which clamping pressure, both legs 34 and 35 areclamped to the first wall 08. The first, upper end 38 of the clampingelement 36 is supported at a clamping point 45 between the clampingelement 36 and the leg 35, at the trailing end 33 of the support plate31 of the dressing 03 b, on the wall 08 extending from the front edge 13of the opening 07, or on the wall 10 of the groove 06 b, in such a waythat forces F1, F2 at the clamping point 45 are simultaneously absorbedin two directions, which forces F1, F2 extend vertically on top of eachother in the cross-sectional plane of the groove 06 b. Because of theacute angle α, the clamping point 45 again lies on an inclined surface.With this preferred embodiment, the clamping point 45 therefore lies inthe area of the wall 08 which is covered by the two legs 34 and 35 whichtwo legs 34 and 35 lie on top of each other. The clamping device withthe pivotably seated clamping element 36, and in particular with thebearing point 40 of the clamping element 36, remains fixed in place inthe groove 06 b because of its support and because the forcedistribution provided along with it.

The spring element 37 is preferably pre-stressed and, in particular incooperation with the security against twisting provided by the base body41, it causes, by the action of its force on the clamping element 36,the seating, fixed in place, of the clamping element 36 by the effect ofa force component of sufficient size. In the second preferredembodiment, which is represented in FIG. 2, the groove 06 b has acircular cross section. The base body 41 is preferably matched, in itsouter shape, to the contours of the groove 06 b, or is supported by atleast three support points on the wall 10 of the groove 06 b. Forexample, an arresting element 42, which may be formed as a stop for thebase body 41, projects into the opening 07 and is supported on thesecond wall 09 of the opening 07. In this way, the base body 41 issecure against twisting, in particular in a circular groove 06 b. Such atwist prevention of the relatively inexpensive base body 41 is, inparticular, of advantage if, for example, no channel 15 is provided forthe holding device 16 or for the clamping element 36 in the groove 06 a,06 b, the cutting of such a channel 15 having been omitted for reasonsof cost. With an appropriate cross-sectional geometry of the groove 06b, for example an angular geometry, the base body 41 can be configuredin such a way that it is supported, secure against twisting, on the wall10 of the groove 06 b.

An actuating device 20 has been provided in the base body 41, whichactuating device 20 counteracts the contact pressure exerted by thespring element 37, via the clamping element 36, on the first wall 09 ofthe opening 07 in order to release, when desired, the clamping caused bythe clamping element 36 on the first wall 09 when the actuating device20 is operated. The actuating device 20 is again preferably a hose 20that is provided extending in the longitudinal direction of the groove06 b, which hose 20 can be charged with a pressure medium, for examplewith compressed air, and which hose 20 can be encased by the base body41.

With this second preferred embodiment, it is also assumed that only asingle clamping element 36 is arranged in each cross-sectional plane ofthe groove 06 b. Several such clamping elements 36, with associatedcompression springs 37, can easily be arranged in the longitudinaldirection of the groove 06 b. It is common to both of the depicted anddescribed embodiments that a holding device 16, or a clamping element36, is pivotably, and is preferably loosely, seated in the groove 06 a,06 b by one end, i.e. by only one end 19, 39, and wherein clamping ofthe leg 05, 35 of the trailing end 12, 13 of the dressing 03 a, or ofthe support plate 31, as well as a fixation in place of the holdingdevice 16, or of the clamping element 36, in their bearing points 24, 40is achieved by the use of a spring element 17, 37, which spring elementis in operative connection with the holding device 16, or with theclamping element 36. Fixation in place of the clamping device, which isformed by the holding device 16, or by the clamping element 36, and thespring element 17, 37 takes place in such a way that, with the inclusionof the clamping point 25, 45 existing between the holding device 16, orthe clamping element 36, and the leg 05, 35 of the trailing end 12, 33of the printing forme 03 a, or of the support plate 31, because of itspre-stress, the spring element 17, 38 stabilizes the holding device 16,or the clamping element 36, secure against twisting, if necessary withthe aid of an arresting element 42 formed on the base body 41. Althoughthe bearing point of the holding device 16, or of the clamping element36, does allow the holding device 16, or the clamping element 36, topivot, it is fixed in place, at least during the clamping process, withrespect to its position in, or in relation to, the groove 06 a, 06 b. Inthis embodiment, the spring element 17, 37, or the holding device 16 orthe clamping element 36, is supported indirectly or directly at asupport point 23, 45 on that wall 08, 09 which, in the opening 07, islocated opposite that wall 08, 09 on which the stop 42 is supported.

Thus, each of the above-described embodiments of the present inventionis directed to a device for fastening at least one dressing 03 a, or asupport plate 31, on a cylinder 01 a, 01 b, having a clamping device,fixed in place secure against twisting on a wall 10 of the groove 06 a,06 b, or on the walls 08, 09 of the opening 07, with a holding device16, or with a clamping element 36 pivotably seated in, or at the bottomof the groove 06 a, 06 b, and wherein the clamping device is arranged ina base body 41, if desired. A spring element 17, 37 or a clampingelement 36, at the same time, absorb, in their support point 23, or intheir clamping point 45, forces F1, F2, extending in two directionsvertically on top of each other in the cross-sectional plane of thegroove 06 a, 06 b, and at the same time perform the two functions ofclamping and of fixation in place by use of the resultingcounter-forces.

The above-described preferred embodiments of the device for fastening atleast one dressing on a cylinder, in accordance with the presentinvention, can be realized in the same printing group of a rotaryprinting press, as is depicted schematically in FIG. 3. A cylinder 01 a,with a printing forme 03 a in accordance with the first preferredembodiment can roll oft on a cylinder 01 b with a dressing 03 b inaccordance with the second exemplary embodiment. Thus, a plate-shapedprinting forme 03 fastened on the surface 02 of the first cylinder 01 arolls off on a printing blanket 30, which has been applied to thesurface 02 of the second cylinder Qib by the use of a support plate 31.In this case, the cylinder 01 a, in accordance with the first preferredembodiment, constitutes a forme cylinder, and the cylinder 01 b, inaccordance with the second preferred embodiment, constitutes a transfercylinder. Furthermore, the clamping device consisting of a holdingdevice 16 and a leaf spring 17 and arranged in the groove 06 a of theforme cylinder 01 a, can be encased in a base body 41, wherein recessesin the base body 41 make possible the previously described pivotabilityand support of the clamping device.

In that case, this printing group is also distinguished, for example, byan approximately right angle β being formed between the wall 09extending from the rear edge 14 to the groove 06 a of the forme cylinder06 a and the tangent line T resting on the opening 07 in the surface 02of the forme cylinder 01 a. The trailing end 12 of the printing forme 03a is maintained on the wall 09 extending from the rear edge 14 to thegroove 06 a, and the leg 35 on the trailing end 33 of the support plate31 forms an obtuse angle y with the tangent line T resting on theopening 07 of the transfer cylinder 01 b and is maintained, togetherwith the leg 34, at the leading end 32 of the support plate 31, on thewall 08 extending from the front edge 13 to the groove 06 b.

While preferred embodiments of devices for fixing at least one packingto a cylinder of a rotary printing press and a printing group comprisingsuch devices, in accordance with the present invention, have been setforth fully and completely hereinabove, it will be apparent to one ofskill in the art that changes, for example in the overall sizes of thecylinders, in the specific structures of the packings or dressings andthe like could be made without departing from the true spirit and scopeof the present invention which is accordingly to be limited only by theappended claims.

1. A device for fastening at least one dressing on a cylinder of arotary printing press comprising: at least one groove in the cylinderand having an opening oriented at a surface of the cylinder; a firstgroove opening wall and a second groove opening wall; at least onedressing end holding device in said groove and having a first endadjacent said opening, said first end being adapted to releasably holdat least a dressing trailing end leg inserted into said opening, saidholding device being a pivotable lever; at least one spring element insaid groove, said spring element exerting a clamping force and asecurement force on said holding device; a bearing point in said groove,said bearing point being opposite said opening, said bearing pointreceiving a second end of said holding device; a support point for saidspring element in said groove; and a clamping point for said dressingtrailing end leg and defined by said holding device and one of saidfirst and second groove opening walls, said clamping point beingopposite said support point, said dressing trailing end leg being heldagainst said one of said first and second groove opening walls at saidclamping point by said clamping force exerted on said holding device,said spring element securing said holding device in said bearing pointby said securement force exerted by said spring element, said supportpoint being intermediate said clamping point and said bearing point. 2.The device of claim 1 further including a line tangent to said cylindersurface at said opening, said support point being on an other of saidfirst and second groove opening walls, said other of said walls formingan inclined surface at an acute angle with respect to said tangent, saidsupport point facing said bearing point.
 3. The device of claim 2wherein said acute angle is between 40° and 50°.
 4. The device of claim1 wherein the cylinder is supported for rotation in a productiondirection and further wherein said support point is on an other one ofsaid first and second groove opening walls which other of said first andsecond groove opening walls is first in said production direction. 5.The device of claim 4 further including a groove front edge of saidother of said first and second groove opening walls, said support pointbeing located on said other of said first and second groove openingwalls at a distance from said front edge.
 6. The device of claim 5wherein said distance is less than 5 mm.
 7. The device of claim 5wherein said front edge is adapted to hold a dressing leading end leg.8. The device of claim 4 wherein said other of said first and secondgroove opening walls is adapted to hold a dressing leading end leg. 9.The device of claim 1 further including a rocker on said dressingtrailing end leg, said rocker being located on said one of said firstand second groove opening walls.
 10. The device of claim 9 wherein saidholding device engages said rocker.
 11. The device of claim 1 whereinsaid cylinder is supported for rotation in a production direction andfurther wherein said clamping point is on said one of said first andsecond groove opening walls which is first in said production directionand further including a line tangent to said cylinder surface of saidopening, said one of said first and second groove opening wallsextending at an acute angle to said tangent line.
 12. The device ofclaim 11 wherein said acute angle is between 40° and 50°.
 13. The deviceof claim 11 wherein said first groove opening wall is adapted to hold adressing leading end leg.
 14. The device of claim 1 wherein said bearingpoint is adjacent a bottom surface of said groove.
 15. The device ofclaim 1 wherein said spring element is a leaf spring.
 16. The device ofclaim 1 wherein said spring element is pre-stressed.
 17. The device ofclaim 1 further including an actuating means in said groove and adaptedto act on said holding device in opposition to said spring element. 18.The device of claim 17 wherein said actuating means is a hose adapted tobe charged with a pressure medium.
 19. The device of claim 1 whereinsaid bearing point is fixed in place in said groove.
 20. The device ofclaim 1 further including at least one base body in said groove, said atleast one base body having said holding device and said spring element,said holding device being pivotably supported in said base body.
 21. Thedevice of claim 20 wherein said base body is supported in said groovefixed against rotation.
 22. The device of claim 20 further including astop on said base body and projecting into said opening, said stopfixing said base body in said groove against rotation.
 23. The device ofclaim 22 wherein said stop is supported opposite to said clamping point.24. The device of claim 1 wherein said groove is circular incross-section.
 25. A printing group of a rotary printing presscomprising: at least one forme cylinder; at least one transfer cylinderadapted to cooperate with said forme cylinder; at least one plate-shapedprinting forme secured to said forme cylinder; at least one supportplate with a printing blanket on said transfer cylinder; meanssupporting said forme cylinder and said transfer cylinder for rotationin a production direction; a leading end with a beveled leg and atrailing end with a beveled leg on each said printing forme and saidsupport plate; at least one end leg receiving groove in each said formecylinder and said transfer cylinder, each said groove having an openingextending toward a surface of each said cylinder, each said openinghaving a front edge and a first wall and a rear edge and a second wall,said first wall extending at an acute angle to a line tangent to saidsurface at said opening, said leading end of said printing forme and ofsaid support plate being suspendable from said front edge; a printingforme trailing end leg holding means in said groove in said formecylinder and including a pivotable lever supported for pivotablemovement in a bearing point opposite said opening, and a spring elementengagable with said pivotable lever and with one of said first andsecond walls at a support point, said spring element providing aclamping force acting on said pivotable lever for holding said trailingend leg in a clamping point against one of said first and second openingwalls opposite said support point, said spring element providing asecurement force for holding said pivotable lever in said bearing point;and a support plate trailing end leg clamping element in said groove insaid transfer cylinder and including a clamping element pivotable leverwith a first end and a second end, said clamping element second endbeing supported in a clamping element bearing point opposite saidopening in said transfer cylinder, and a clamping element spring in saidgroove, said clamping element spring exerting a clamping force and asecurement force against said clamping element, said clamping elementfirst end exerting a clamping force against said trailing-end leg placedagainst said first wall of said opening in said transfer cylinder. 26.The printing group of claim 25 wherein a right angle is formed betweensaid forme cylinder second wall and said tangent line, said printingforme trailing end being supported on said forme cylinder second wall.27. The printing group of claim 25 wherein an obtuse angle is formedbetween said support plate trailing end with respect to said tangentline, said support plate trailing end being supported on said first wallof said transfer cylinder.
 28. The printing group of claim 25 whereinsaid opening has a width of less than 5 mm.